I was so excited to take part in the Holly Bloggy Christmas gift exchange this year! I had to send some of my favorite things to Debbie at K is for Kinderrific. Here are the gifts I sent...

Debbie received an owl bracelet. Right now I'm in love with the owl craze! Also, tarts in Northern Pine from Warm Glow Candle Co. I really enjoy the smell of Christmas trees this time of year. I also love all things Warm Glow. It's a candle company right here in Centerville, IN. Finally, Debbie received a Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer in Sparkling Pink Champagne with a sparkly holder. I couldn't live without multiple bottles of hand sanitizer and everything looks better with sparkles!
My Holly Bloggy buddy was Sharon from The Convenient Teacher. She sent me all of these items...

So many wonderful gifts!! So many of Sharon's favorite things are my favorite things too!! I am in love with the candle scent!! All of the wonderful gifts came in this adorable box...

Last week I finished a new product. You know I have this obsession with jars! They are so easy to grab and go. Students use them during math and reading workstations. Recently I decided to step outside the box and make a jar for something other than a workstation. I have several students in my classroom that always finish assignments early. I generally have them read silently while others work. This works most of the time. I've seen lots of early finisher boards but I just don't have room in my classroom to display something that large. So I decided to make a jar for students who constantly finish early. My I'm Done (Now What) Jar has 30 task cards for students to complete with little to no guidance. Take a look at the preview...

You can also check it out at my TpT store or TN store.
Now for the unexpected news... I opened my Teachers Notebook Newsletter on Saturday to find my I'm Done Jar included in the Featured Items of the Week section. I was soooooo excited!

I was asked recently to review three types of scissors from ACME. What teacher wouldn't want to review scissors?? The first scissors I reviewed were the Westcott Kids Scissors with Microban Protection. These are very sturdy scissors for young children.

What is Microban Protection you might ask? Well, it's a Microban antimicrobial product to inhibit the growth of bacterial odors. I'm not sure that this is as important to me as a teacher compared to the way the scissors cut. They do cut very nicely and can be used with the right or left hand.
The next pair of scissors that I reviewed were the Westcott Titanium Bonded 8" Non-Stick Straight Scissors.

I like love these scissors!! It just so happened that the day they arrived I had brought home lots of laminated word cards that needed cut. I was able to make one little cut and then slide the scissors through the rest of the film. They are very comfortable to cut with for longer periods of time. The blades have a non-stick coating that is resistant to tape, glue and velcro. I would definitely recommend these scissors!
The last product that I had to review was the Westcott Scissor Mouse. This little thing is so awesome! Just take a look at the pictures below.

First, line up the mouse with the picture that you are wanting to cut.

Next, simply roll the mouse across the paper for a nice, straight cut.

The scissor mouse is perfect for cutting anything that needs a quick straight line (it can also cut long waves). I can't wait to use it to wrap Christmas presents! The mouse did take a few tries to get it to work. There is a red plastic arrow at the bottom of the mouse that guides the paper.

You have to make sure the paper slides between the mouse and the red arrow. The paper will jam if it is not placed just right. The blade is not exposed, so it is safe for adults and children. However, it might be tricky for younger children to use.

All the scissors reviewed in this post can be purchased through shoplet.com.

My students love doing them! I tried her Thanksgiving themed Smart Cookies. My class did the sheets first thing in the morning all through November. I had them on their desks each morning. Some days I had students turn their papers in to me and on others I had students partner check each other. They love doing this with their red pens (I love it as well because it saves some time!).

If you would like to check out Amy's Smart Cookie products, click on the picture below!!

Loving... I told my youngest daughter about the Silhouette Cameo and all the wonderful things it can do a few months ago. She convinced my husband that he should get me one for Christmas! It came in a week ago and they couldn't stand the anticipation, so I got to open it early! I can't wait to use it to make gift tags and lots more!! I love it!

Thinking... This year I'm going to have my students make Family Dinner Conversation Starters for their parents and we need to get started. I purchased this from The Clutter Free Classroom. I think parents will love it! Click on the picture to check it out in her TpT store.

Wanting... It's been unseasonably warm in Indiana this weekend with a little rain this evening. Due to this combination, there's a chance of fog in the morning. If it's too foggy, we delay school two-hours. A late start on a Monday morning would be a nice way to welcome the week!
Needing... I started my lesson plans last Friday but I haven't finished them yet. I've been soooo bad about this lately! Looks like I'll be staying up a little later tonight (another great reason for a two-hour delay).

RAK... I have two daughters with too many clothes and toys. I usually store them to give to friends/ relatives or for an upcoming garage sale. This year I'm going to take them to the Salvation Army for families in need.

Thanks for reading!! Now head over to Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade and link up to December's Currently.

Hurry! Time is running out! The TpT Cyber Monday Tuesday sale is almost over! For the first time (because I finally figured out how to do it!), everything in my store is on sale! Enter the code CMT12 at checkout for an extra 10% off your total. I've did a little shopping yesterday and will be heading back shortly for a few more items. Here are a few things that I have purchased so far...

The dreaded day has finally come! Tuesday I will be in training all day and will have a substitute teacher. I hate being out of the classroom not just because I miss my students but also because I hate making sub plans! I know what it's like to be a substitute teacher in a classroom with poor sub plans. It is for this reason that my plans take me hours to prepare. I try to keep the day as normal as possible. I purchased Amanda Nickerson's Sub Tub. This has been a life saver for getting things ready!
Do you do any special preparations for having a substitute teacher in your classroom? How do you encourage your students to behave for the sub?

Only two days left in my 300 follower giveaway! I'm giving away a Target, Panera, iTunes, and Starbucks gift cards plus a few other goodies to one lucky winner. Please help me spread the news and blog or Facebook about my giveaway! Thanks for your support!!

The Expanding File is very sturdy with 13 pockets. Included are labels for each pocket. I had no trouble printing the labels on my computer. I did have to trim some off the bottom of each label to fit them in the inserts.

Other features include two handles, velcro closure and material on the outside. I was thrilled with this product!
I also reviewed C-line Bound Sheet Protector Presentation Book. This product was perfect for my RISE Evaluation Materials.

The Presentation Book has a sturdy cover and pocket on the inside. There are 12 protector pages that can hold 24 sheets if placed back to back.

The spine has a sleeve to insert a label for the Presentation Book.

The only thing I didn't like about the Presentation Book was that the protector sheets are flimsy.
Overall, I would recommend each of the C-line products. Check out these products and much more at www.shoplet.com.